The second collaboration between Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest, Somni (Catalan for “dream”), is an introspective tour de force that leaves the listener breathless. Watch the companion video, and you can see that even the musicians themselves look on in awe as the soloists take flight in this spectacle for the ears and eyes. Where Sylva showed what a band and an orchestra at the heights of their powers could accomplish, Somni shatters all expectations. This is the type of music that any serious fan lives for.
The bulk of the music was written by composer Michael League while spending time alone in a rural Japanese Airbnb. The result is an album full of intricate detail that somehow never feels busy or overly fussy. The dreamy quality pervades each track in its own unique way, making for some of the most involved and involving music of the band’s career.
Lead track Waves Upon Waves was the source of the dream concept. Its romantic strings and electric piano are joined by a jazzy sax and flute, all supported by insistent percussion and assertive bass. The song veers between epic grandeur and simple horn charts, a reflection of the state that lies between deep sleep and full wakefulness. The rhythm becomes stronger as the piece evolves, a solo violin splitting the difference between bluegrass and classical. Through it all, the orchestra carries the theme, smoothing out the rougher edges and laying the foundation for each of the soloists. Tuned percussion, drums and bass are the framework which support As You Are But Not As You Were. Various keys add flavour, but it is the orchestra which provides the melodic focus. Jazzy, proggy and percussive, the song brings to mind Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return To Forever but as touchstones, not sources. The spicy Latin grooves and the rock-inflected drumming tether the tune to the earth as the strings and tuned percussion pull the song skywards. The contrasts and tension make these 10 minutes pass by in a blur of “what is coming next?” awe.
Strings and horns set up a heavy, threatening sound for Chimera. Slinky bass synth magnifies the sense of impending doom and messy, overdriven guitar tones push to the fore. The string/horn motif continues until an odd, jazzy turn takes over about halfway into the song to create something funky, rocking, and utterly delightful. The guitar solo alone is worth the price of admission, but stay for the off-kilter drum portion which leads into a sinister, bassy outro. Ethnic stringed instruments and solo violin launch Between Worlds before a short orchestral interlude interrupts the proceedings. Synth and drums add bite as the strings sweep cinematically overhead. Every measure rewards (demands?) close listening with the level of detail and the impressive army of instrumentalists. I cannot think of any band but Snarky Puppy who can pull off such a seamless blend of jazz, prog and classical.
The 14 minute epic Recurrent, begins with an odd piano phrase augmented by rich horns, creating an unsettling piece which makes sense when the drums pull the disparate pieces together. Once that is established, the horns and woodwinds take over. The orchestra provides accents, but never plays second banana to the band. The acoustic piano returns to lift the tune up to jazz heaven, and the horns respond accordingly. At about the eight minute mark, the piano phrase returns to set the stage for one of the coolest drum solos (can you call it that if there are four drummers?) you’ll ever hear. All controlled fury and dripping with impressive technique, these three guys and a gal play “can you top this?” while finishing each other’s musical thoughts. This has to be seen to be believed, so be sure to watch the video for what is an incredibly spellbinding four minutes that will leave your jaw on the floor.
As hard as that might be to follow, Only Here And Nowhere Else rises to the challenge by moving in the opposite direction. A sweet orchestral fanfare yields to bass and guitar. The song builds layer upon layer, all the while retaining a tranquil vibe, even as the dynamics pick up. As the orchestral accompaniment cycles through, it brings along new musical accompaniment with each turn for a completely satisfying experience. Electric piano quoting Donovan’s “There Is A Mountain” in halftime along with a percussion orchestra introduces It Stays With You. Eventually, the orchestra sweeps in and takes command, scraping bows adding tension which is enhanced by the percussion and an unhinged sax solo. The overall effect is like dark clouds on the horizon, the bass and synths adding the rumble of thunder. The electric guitar shines a bit of light for a short while until it all dissipates in a subdued finale.
For me, instrumental music is always a dicey proposition. However, in the hands of composer Michael League, it feels natural, expressive, and as eloquent as any spoken language. Snarky Puppy is a band of virtuoso musicians who are fun both to hear and watch. A huge band and an orchestra steeped in the language of jazz and pop are an exquisite combination which exceeds expectations at every turn. And if you are a fan of Snarky Puppy, those expectations were already high. Somni is a dream come true.
TRACK LISTING
01. Waves Upon Waves (7:39)
02. As You Are But Not As You Were (10:08)
03. Chimera (8:14)
04. Between Worlds (8:08)
05. Recurrent (13:52)
06. Draft (5:53)
07. Only Here And Nowhere Else (6:44)
08. It Stays With You (10:52)
Total Time – 71:30
MUSICIANS
Michael League – Electric Bass, Minimoog Model D Synthesizer, Sazbus
Jay Jennings – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Mike ‘Maz’ Maher – Flugelhorn
Chris Bullock – Flute
Bob Reynolds – Tenor Sax
Zach Brock – Violin
Justin Stanton – Rhodes MK8, Minimoog Model D, Piano, Synthesizers, Trumpet
Bill Laurance – Piano, Mellotron, Wurlitzer, Synthesizers
Bobby Sparks II – Hammond B3 Organ, Clavinet, Minimoog Model D
Bob Lanzetti – Electric Guitar
Mark Lettieri – Electric Guitar
Chris McQueen – Electric Guitar
Keita Ogawa – Percussion
Nate Werth – Percussion
Marcelo Woloski – Percussion
Mason Davis – Kraken, Marimba
Larnell Lewis – Drums
Nikki Glaspie – Drums
Jamison Ross – Drums
Jason “JT” Thomas – Drums
~ With:
Metropole Orkest – Conducted by Jules Buckley
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: GroundUp
Country of Origin: US
Date of Release: 21st November 2025
LINKS
Snarky Puppy – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X | Instagram
